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CSSLogical Propertiesi18nLayout

CSS Logical Properties Guide

Master CSS logical properties. From writing modes to internationalization to modern layout patterns.

B
Bootspring Team
Engineering
May 4, 2021
6 min read

Logical properties adapt layouts for different writing modes and languages. Here's how to use them.

Physical vs Logical#

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Block and Inline Axes#

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Sizing Properties#

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Padding and Margin#

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Border Properties#

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Position Properties#

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Text Alignment#

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Writing Modes#

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RTL Support#

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Practical Examples#

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Scroll Properties#

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Migration Strategy#

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Best Practices#

Adoption: ✓ Use logical properties for new code ✓ Migrate gradually ✓ Test with RTL languages ✓ Consider writing mode changes Naming: ✓ block = vertical (in horizontal modes) ✓ inline = horizontal (in horizontal modes) ✓ start/end instead of left/right ✓ Use shorthand when possible Avoid: ✗ Mixing physical and logical for same property ✗ Assuming left-to-right only ✗ Forgetting border-radius logical values ✗ Ignoring writing-mode contexts

Conclusion#

Logical properties create layouts that adapt to different writing modes and text directions. Use them for international-ready designs, replacing physical properties like margin-left with margin-inline-start. They're well-supported in modern browsers and essential for RTL language support.

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